Main menu

Post navigation

November 3, 2009

HeadlinesBoxer: Climate markup will go forwardGOP Senators warn Boxer on climate billPoll: Global warming is real, so do something, US voters sayEven E.U. having trouble on climate agreementTough global deal on climate unlikely – UN chiefU.S. urged to set climate deal deadline Obama hosting EU-US summit RiskMetrics beefs up analysis of enviro risksScientists seek ‘Plan B’ for fighting climate change Forests much more than carbon storageSizing up palm oilKilimanjaro ice could vanish within 20 yearsReligion gets behind fight against climate change
[click on link below for articles]News summariesBoxer: Climate markup will go forward
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer
(D-Calif.) will go ahead and mark up climate legislation in her
committee Tuesday, she announced Monday morning, even if the
Republicans try to block her. The Washington PostGOP Senators warn Boxer on climate bill
Six ranking Republican U.S. senators Monday warned the head of the
environment committee that pushing ahead with a vote on a landmark
climate bill this week would "severely damage" the chances of passing
the legislation. Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Sen. Barbara
Boxer (D., Calif.) has said she’s prepared to begin consideration of
the climate bill Tuesday despite objections by GOP committee members
who want a full economic analysis of the proposal. The six panel
members said they would try to block passage of the bill through
committee by not attending the scheduled markup. Under committee rules,
at least two members of the minority are needed to vote on legislation.The Wall Street JournalPoll: Global warming is real, so do something, US voters say
Some 56 percent of likely general-election voters say global warming is
happening now, and a further 21 percent say it will happen in the
future. Christian Science MonitorEven E.U. having trouble on climate agreement
Negotiations to save the planet from catastrophic climate change are
heading for trouble, five weeks before the U.N. conference. The New York TimesTough global deal on climate unlikely – UN chief
A legally-binding global climate change deal is looking unlikely after
Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary General, said world leaders will not agree on
targets to cut emissions. The TelegraphU.S. urged to set climate deal deadline
The U.S. is under pressure to set a 2020 goal for cutting greenhouse
gases to rescue chances for a climate deal due next month in
Copenhagen. ReutersObama hosting EU-US summit
President Barack Obama is hosting a summit with European Union leaders
on a range of issues, including climate change. APRiskMetrics beefs up analysis of enviro risks
Hereâ€™s a sign that whatever happens in the U.S. or overseas with
climate-change gymnastics, big investors are taking the issue
seriously. RiskMetrics Group, the big risk-analysis firm, just snapped
up KLD Research, which specializes in environmental, social, and
governance issues for investors. That basically means that RiskMetricsâ€™
traditional approach to figuring out what risks hang over
companiesâ€”from exchange rates to commodity pricesâ€“will now include
plenty of emphasis on environmental issues, including climate change.
The tie-up comes as many institutional investors are increasingly
pressing big companies to be more forthright about their exposure to
potential risks (and opportunities) from climate change. Witness the
growth of Ceres. And it comes just after the Securities and Exchange
Commission made it easier for shareholders to ask companies about
social and environmental risksâ€”including climate change. Environmental CapitalScientists seek ‘Plan B’ for fighting climate change
Many experts said geoengineering could be a planetary "Plan B," an
option to exercise if cutting greenhouse gas emissions can’t stave off
dangerous climate change. The New York Times Forests much more than carbon storage
The world’s forests and jungles are much more than carbon storage sites
and compensation for greenhouse emissions, experts and activists point
out to governments that are negotiating a new global climate change
treaty. AlertNet Sizing up palm oil
Palm oil is in everything from fuel to cosmetics. Is it a solution or a
problem? Christian Science MonitorKilimanjaro ice could vanish within 20 years
Global warming not local weather variations to blame for loss of up to
17 feet of ice, say scientists. The GuardianReligion gets behind fight against climate change
Leaders from nine major faiths meet at Windsor Castle on Tuesday in an
exceptional initiative that supporters predict will harness the power
of religion in the fight against climate change. AFP